I cannot get rid of this cough! No matter what I try. I have been on Antibiotics, taken ovc and rx cough meds, used an inhaler. Nothing helps! Help!! I know you are going to tell me to quit smoking, buts thats easier said then done.
2006-11-11 08:27:08 · 8 answers · asked by mommachewy 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
I had chronic bronchitis for two years. When medication stopped working, I had to decide what I wanted more: better health or to continue smoking. I quit after having smoked 2-3 pks a day for 25 yrs. I decided that being chronically ill wasn't worth it. That was 17 yrs ago.
If you don't want to quit smoking, you'll just have to live with it until you die from it.
2006-11-11 09:24:11 · answer #1 · answered by Judith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here are some possibilities on why you cough all the time.
when you smoke, the cilias in your respiratory tract (they are hair-like filaments that propel the mucus out) are paralyzed by the nicotine that you inhale. it takes approximately 8 hours for them to work again. let's say, if you smoke around 8 am, it will be approximately 4pm before they work again... now if you smoke at noon time -- then that prolongs the time that those cilias are paralyzed.
God created those cilias for a reason. the reason why our lungs produce mucus every second is that it is an attempt to "wash away" all the dirty substances that we inhale every single day. and the cilias "move" those secretions out so that we can cough them out -- some of them we cough then spit out, most of it we swallow (i know it sounds disgusting, but it's true.)
if your secretions have been sitting still in your lungs, they can be a breeding ground for bacteria = pneumonia.
but not all cough related to smoking would be due to the paralysis of cilias only... it could mean many things. first of all, do you have any fever? if yes, then a doctor would need to see you, do tests on you, and prescribe you some anti-biotics.
second thing is to look at your history. how long have you been smoking and how many packs a day? have you had any lung problems before you even started smoking?
third, what is the quality of your cough? is it productive? meaning do you cough out secretions all the time? if yes, what color are they, what consistency, and is it big amounts or small amounts.
have you been having this cough for a period of approximately 2 weeks, it will go away then come back again? has it been going on for the past 6 months or more already?
one of the culprit i would think is either chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. but it's hard to say unless a pulmonary function test is done.
about quitting smoking... if you really have the intention of quitting smoking, whether hard or not -- you should AT LEAST try, instead of giving excuses that it's hard. i know it sounds harsh, but i've seen success stories about people who have quit smoking and were successful, if they can do it - so can you. and besides, you think smoking is tough? think of the people who are trying to stop drinking or stop taking drugs... it is much tougher than you think, and they still succeed. something tells me that you dont' really want to quit smoking. you just want to get rid of the EFFECTS of smoking. to tell you the truth, your cough is just the beginning of many problems smoking can give you.
2006-11-11 17:40:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your right you should quit smoking, otherwise that pneumonia could turn into something more serious. My father passed away for COPD, means Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He didn't smoke but he had been around others that had. But you are at more of a risk of getting that then a nonsmoker. Basically my dad suffocated to death. Not away to go. I pray for good health for you and that you will find away to quit smoking so you can breath and feel better about you.
2006-11-11 16:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by cnacyn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cough is caused by a number of ailments.
It can be treated by over the counter medicines
or home remedies. More information available
at http://ailments.in/cough.html
2006-11-14 10:20:48 · answer #4 · answered by piyu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your doctor. A chronic cough can be one of the initial signs of emphazyma or lung cancer.
He should also be able to help you find a way to QUIT.
2006-11-11 16:30:43 · answer #5 · answered by triviatm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will have to go see a doctor and have some tests done. It sounds like you have a serious problem if you can't get rid of it.
2006-11-11 16:37:20 · answer #6 · answered by Gemini Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
see a doc pls coz ur age shows that ur defence for diseases is weak.
2006-11-11 16:35:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my uncle has the same problem...it's called emphysema......sorry
2006-11-11 16:35:27 · answer #8 · answered by glduke2003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋